Flamingo Missiles Strike Sanctioned Chemical Plant Volgogradpromproekt

In the early hours of September 11, Ukrainian long-range FP-5 Flamingo missiles attacked the Volgogradpromproekt specialty chemicals plant in Volgograd, Russia.

The incident was reported by Flamingo manufacturer Fire Point.

The governor of the Volgograd region confirmed that the city had come under a missile attack. According to him, debris fell on the grounds of an industrial facility in southern Volgograd.

Volgogradpromproekt is located in the Kirovsky district of the city. It is a research and production company operating in the field of low-tonnage chemicals and manufacturing organophosphorus compounds, flame retardants, resins, and other specialty chemicals.

According to Exilenova+, the manufacturer’s products are used in the production of polymer and composite materials for Russia’s aviation, shipbuilding, and defense industries. Organophosphorus compounds and flame retardants, in particular, provide these materials with fire resistance and other required performance properties.

One of Volgogradpromproekt’s key products is OSF, an organosilicon ferrocene derivative containing iron compounds. It is used as a catalyst and combustion-rate modifier for composite solid rocket propellants.

A Russian patent states that the iron content of the OSF product is about 10%. Adding this component makes it possible to regulate the burn rate of rocket propellant while maintaining its required properties.

In December 2023, the United States added Volgogradpromproekt to its sanctions list along with companies supporting Russia’s military-industrial base. The U.S. Department of the Treasury specifically cited the production of ferrocene-containing combustion catalysts in its sanctions rationale.

The manufacturer’s ties to Russia’s military-industrial complex are also confirmed by a court ruling. According to it, in 2018, Volgogradpromproekt signed three contracts with the Perm Powder Plant to supply 15 tonnes of OSF worth a total of ₽97.836 million ($1.1 million), excluding VAT.

The Perm Powder Plant is one of the key producers of solid rocket propellants and propellants for Russia’s military industry.

Court documents explicitly state that these products were supplied as part of Russia’s state defense procurement program, with Volgogradpromproekt acting as a contractor.

Today, a possible Ukrainian drone attack on the Volgograd Oil Refinery was reported, which is also located in the southern part of the city. During the strike, local residents heard explosions and the distinctive sounds of drones flying overhead.